A/n: This chapter took on a life of its own. I never expected it to turn out this way, and, in fact, this wasn't even the missing scene I originally intended to write. I was going to do something fluffy after "We All Scream for Ice Cream," but "Sleuthing with the Enemy" wriggled its way into my head and I came up with this, which is not remotely fluffy. I do hope you all enjoy though.

Katie

Disclaimer: I don't own Charmed nor do I own anything related to Trisha Yearwood's song, "Second Chance." This takes place after Phoebe fakes Cole's vanquish in "Sleuthing with the Enemy," but before the final scene where Phoebe, Piper and Prue talk in the morning.

Through the Years

Nine: Second Chance

Just when you think love is a distant dream
Oh, fate give you wings

Just close your eyes
Reach for the moment
Before it slips by
Here is your second chance
Take it and fly

-Trisha Yearwood, "Second Chance"

She, Phoebe and Prue had been uncharacteristically quiet on the car ride home that night. Phoebe, Piper was certain, because losing Cole–vanquishing Cole–had hurt more than she wanted to admit to either of her sisters. Prue because she wanted to say I told you so and was refraining on Phoebe's behalf. And Piper, of course, because she could think of nothing to say that would be more than inane chatter that no one wanted to hear.

When they arrived back at the manor, Piper barely murmured goodnight to her sisters before disappearing upstairs. The entire day had been exhausting and emotionally draining, and she really wanted nothing more than to collapse in her bed. To her surprise, though, when she entered her bedroom she found Leo already in bed staring pensively up at the ceiling. He had gone Up There to tell the Elders that they had vanquished Belthazor and she hadn't expected him to be home so soon. And from the look on his face, she knew instinctively that her excruciatingly long day was not over yet.

"Is Phoebe okay?" he asked quietly as Piper shut the door.

"Not really," said Piper, sitting on the edge of the bed and removing her shoes. "I mean, she had to vanquish her boyfriend. She's hurt, even if she doesn't want to admit it."

"Yeah."

Piper looked at him curiously for a moment; his tone was so detached, almost angry. Leo, though, simply continued to stare at the ceiling. Standing, she pulled her shirt over her head and threw it into the hamper in her closet.

"I'm sorry I yelled earlier," she said quietly, assuming it was the reason for Leo's mood. Sometimes, too often she expected, she lost her temper with Leo in the heat of the moment and blamed him unnecessarily. Tonight had been no exception, and perhaps it had been one time too many. "I know you didn't mean to heal Cole–I mean, I know you didn't know when you did–"

"It's against the rules," said Leo, a venom in the words of which she was slightly frightened. Calmly, she unfastened her bra and set it on top of her dresser, pulling out a tank top and pulling it over her head.

"You didn't know you were healing a demon," she said quietly. "And I know you didn't know, which is why I shouldn't have yelled."

"I'm not mad at you, Piper," said Leo, but his tone did nothing to convince her that he meant what he said. "I know you were stressed. I know you were worried. I could feel your emotions coming from you in waves."

"What?" said Piper, slightly alarmed. She knew, vaguely, that Leo had the ability to sense her and her sisters, to realize when they needed help and to know when and how to guide them, but she'd never really thought about exactly how much Leo knew. The idea made her feel slightly vulnerable.

Leo finally glanced at her. She was standing, frozen, wearing nothing but her underpants and the tank top, and holding her pants in one hand.

"Piper, I try to only read you when it's pressing, but there are times..." He sighed. "There are times," he repeated, "that I simply can't block what you're feeling. And I'm not sure if it's because I'm so acutely aware of you all the time or if it's because sometimes your feelings are so overwhelming that there's nothing I can do to block them. Maybe it's a combination."

Piper smiled slightly, appeased, and went to throw her pants in the hamper too. Then she crawled onto the bed, putting her bedtime ritual on hold to get to the bottom of what was bothering Leo. Sitting beside him, she clasped one of his hands in both of hers. "What's wrong then?" she asked.

"I'm just worried, Piper," said Leo, turning to face her. "I broke the rules tonight. I healed Cole when I wasn't supposed too, demon or no demon. The fact that he ended up being the very demon who's been trying to kill you for months was just the icing on top of the cake."

"Everything worked out," said Piper. "Cole–Belthazor–is gone. We're fine until the next demonic threat." She squeezed Leo's hand reassuringly. "How did you heal him anyway? I didn't know it was possible to heal demons."

"It's not," said Leo. "But I only healed part of him, so I think he must have been partially human." He sighed. "Maybe that's why Phoebe was able to fall in love with him so easily."

"Procreating with a demon," said Piper, wrinkling her nose. "I'm sure it's not half as fun as doing it with an angel." She grinned, the smile reaching her eyes, eager to be playful, to move past Leo's unnecessary guilt. Deep down she still wasn't quite convinced her anger at Leo wasn't somewhat responsible for his current state. Unfortunately, Leo didn't respond beyond a small smile.

"I'm worried about the Elders," he finally said, resuming his vigilant staring at the ceiling. "I'm worried about us."

"About us?" said Piper. "But we're doing fine. And you and I, our relationship, it had nothing to do with what happened tonight."

"It's not just about us," said Leo. Piper started in surprise, unconsciously drawing her hands away from his and prompting him to look at her again. "I mean, in the grand scheme of things it is about us. But the Elders aren't just concerned about my relationship with you. I went Up There tonight, to tell them that you vanquished Belthazor, but I also had to tell them about what I did. My mistake. They're worried that I'm too close to your sisters too. That I'm biased. That I'm too invested in the family."

"You're part of our family," said Piper vehemently. "What does that matter?"

"It does matter, Piper!" said Leo almost violently. He sat up for the first time, facing her fully and grasping her face in his hands. "Whitelighters aren't supposed to have families. We're not supposed to be emotionally attached to our charges the way I am to you. Hell, even the way I am to your sisters. I'm not supposed to feel your emotions unwillingly; I'm not supposed to let my feelings for you–for any of you–to cloud my judgement. And I did that tonight! I knew that I shouldn't heal Cole. I knew it! But Phoebe begged me and all I could think about was how scared she was, how much her heart was breaking. So I did it. I broke the rules. Again. And it wasn't for the best. It didn't help anyone. It just made things worse!"

"Leo," said Piper softly, tears unwillingly falling down her cheeks and onto his fingers.

"I don't want to lose you, Piper. I can't. Things may have worked out tonight, but I can't afford to make another mistake!"

Frantically, almost desperately, Piper grasped his t-shirt and pulled him to her, her lips meeting his in a violent kiss. Leo responded just as unrestrained, his hands moving to her back and pulling her as close to his body as he could.

"I won't let them take you from me again," Piper whispered against his lips. "I won't."

Leo kissed her again, just as harshly, then pulled her tank top over her head and threw it haphazardly across the room, followed immediately by his own shirt.

"We'll fight them," she whispered, as Leo's hand wandered to her right breast, grasping it firmly. She gasped into his mouth as he captured her lips again.

Pushing her back onto the bed, Leo hovered over her, his lips swollen and his eyes a dark, stormy blue. "We only have so many chances, Piper."

She opened her mouth to respond, to offer some encouragement, but Leo was frantically kissing her again, his hands traveling her body, moving swiftly to her underwear and pulling them off without hesitation.

"Promise me this isn't the end," she managed to say as he began kissing his way down her body. "Promise me you won't give up or give in. Please!"

His hands rested firmly on her hips, and he looked up at her. She was already trembling, awash with the intensity of the moment, but she managed to lock eyes with him, silently begging.

"I'll try harder," he said. "I'll be more careful. I promise."

Piper nodded, knowing he wasn't promising exactly what she wanted, but the best he could. For now, it was enough. They wouldn't go down without a fight, and that was all that mattered. And with that final thought, she gave herself over to Leo completely.